Pigs as Models for Zika Virus Research

Studying pathogens in animals can provide important insights into disease development in humans. Zika virus is pathogenic to humans and nonhuman primates but does not naturally affect other species, complicating studies on pathogenesis and the evaluation of vaccines and antiviral therapies.

Due to the similarities in physiology, anatomy and the immune system between pigs and humans it was evaluated if pigs can be used as human surrogates in Zika virus research. Zika virus is a mosquito-borne virus that recently caused a severe outbreak in Brazil and other parts of South America, associated with microcephaly (underdevelopment of the large brain and skull) in newborns and Guillain-Barré syndrome in adults.

Paul Wichgers Schreur is one of the speakers at the NCOH Annual Scientific Meeting on May 30th. Wichgers Schreur is a senior scientist of Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (WBVR) and will present the development of a pig model for Zika virus research. WBVR is part of Wageningen University & Research, which is partner of NCOH.

First insights into Zika virus pathogenesis came from studies with mice. However, the major differences in the physiology, anatomy, and development of the rodent and human brain makes extrapolation of observations made in mouse experiments to humans not always appropriate. The application of mouse models to study the effect of Zika virus infection on brain development is further limited by the short gestation period of mice compared with humans. Nonhuman primates are considered the best human surrogates for studying human infectious diseases and have indeed proven extremely valuable in Zika virus research. However, the use of large numbers of nonhuman primates, particularly during gestation, is under severe societal scrutiny. The expertise of WBVR on (arbo)virus research in association with large (farm) animals stimulated us to develop an alternative large animal model for studying Zika virus pathogenesis.

‘Pigs share many anatomical and physiological features with humans. Our study shows that pig fetuses infected with Zika virus develop severe brain pathology. The study has provided useful insights into this recently emerged mosquito-borne disease that primarily affects the human fetus. Apart from learning about the pathogenesis of Zika virus infections, the model can potentially be used to test antiviral drugs. The research also endorses the latest observations from the field that a Zika virus infection can result in serious brain abnormalities without visible reduced growth of the brain. The long-term effect of an infection in piglets also has to be studied further.’

According to Wichgers Schreur, the ‘One Health’ approach in which vector research, in vitro and in vivo models will meet is essential to combat pathogens like Zika virus. Further to the presentation of Wichgers Schreur, Ronald van Rij will present ‘What makes the mosquito such a good vector of viruses' during the NCOH Annual Scientific Meeting on May 30th.

Impact Zikavirus

- Zika virus is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes and was first isolated from monkeys in Uganda in 1947.

The virus is known to circulate in Africa, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific.

- Based on a systematic review of the literature up to 30 May 2016, WHO has concluded that Zika virus infection during pregnancy is a cause of congenital brain abnormalities, including microcephaly; and that Zika virus is a trigger of Guillain-Barré syndrome.

- Microcephaly is the most severe complication of Zika virus infection. Babies are born with abnormally small heads and brains.

- The infection has been linked to severe birth defects in almost 30 countries.

In May 2015 it was reported in Brazil and has since spread rapidly. The WHO says more than 2,100 cases of nervous-system malformations have been reported in Brazil alone. World Health Organization

The social and economic cost of the spread of the Zika virus in Latin America and the Caribbean will total an estimated US$7 to 18 billion between 2015 and 2017.

This article has been republished from materials provided by Wageningen University & Research. Note: material may have been edited for length and content. For further information, please contact the cited source.

Researchers have dramatically enhanced the sensitivity of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), used to study the structure and composition of many molecules, including proteins linked to Alzheimer’s and other diseases.